2010.01.31

Amazon said Sunday that, while it still believes a $14.99 price tag for e-books is "needlessly high," it will have to give in to Macmillan's demands to sell electronic versions of its books at a higher rate than Amazon's usual $9.99.

Why is it that if I buy a music CD for $9.99, I can create a digital copy for my iPod, but when I buy a hardcover book for $24.99, I have to pay another $15 for a digital copy for my ebook reader? This just doesn't make sense. There needs to be a serious letter-writing campaign to the publishing houses.

2010.01.14

Back in the day, the comment Pat Robertson made today would have infuriated me. Robertson essentially blamed the devastation that took place in Haiti on the idea that, generations ago, people in Haiti sold their souls to the Devil and are now paying for it. I’m reminded of a similar comment made in a debate on CNN, in which yet another religious figure blamed the devastation in New Orleans following Katrina on the debauchery that took place in that town. Luckily, or perhaps providentially, Tony Campolo was also on the show and pointed out that the French Quarter was fine, that it was low-income minorities who were devastated, and then asked his fellow guest point blank whether God was angry with low-income minorities. The other guest really didn’t know what to say. Any answer would have painted him a loon.

I just can't believe that Robertson is still making comments like this. After 9/11 and Katrina, are there still people who believe that pointing fingers and talking about God's wrath and judgement is helpful? Don Miller's response is on target.